Tiger Defensive End Praises Tulane QB

This report on Auburn's seventh victory of the season features comments from junior Quentin Groves.

Auburn, Ala.--Quentin Groves admits that Auburn's defensive performance against Tulane wasn't always a thing of beauty, but the junior says the Tigers had their moments.

Auburn defeated the Green Wave 38-13 on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Tulane kept the ball for 66 plays and racked up 389 total yards to 432 for the Tigers.

Tulane QB Lester Ricard was very accurate with his passing from the shotgun formation. He completed 20-39 passes for 283 yards.

"We knew coming into the game that Ricard had a great arm and that we couldn't take anything for granted," Groves says. "We are a little disappointed with the 13 points we allowed, but at the same time they are a great passing football team and at times you are going to have a little slip.

"We are happy for the win," Groves adds. "There are some little things we have to get corrected, but anytime you win and hold a team like that, with such explosive players, to 13 points you have to be happy."

Quentin Groves sacks Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard.

Although Tulane moved the ball well much of the game, the Green Wave only managed one touchdown and Auburn forced three turnovers. Groves notes that is one reason to be pleased with the victory on homecoming.

"We had a turnover in the red area," he says, noting a fumble recovery and return by senior Will Herring. "That is huge. When they are driving like that, it takes all of the momentum of a team."

Groves finished with three solo tackles, two quarterback pressures and one quarterback sack vs. the Green Wave. He spent much of the contest trying to put pressure on six-foot-five-inch Ricard with the quarterback lining up in the shotgun formation on almost every play.

Tulane also had some success running the ball, averaging 3.9 yards per carry vs. the Tigers. Much of it was on draw plays from the shotgun. "It is an effective play because you have to pass rush so much you are kind of running out of your (run stopping) lanes," says Groves, who notes that he is now turning his attention to his homestate team, the Ole Miss Rebels, Auburn's opponent next Saturday in Oxford, Miss. The game will be AU's ninth straight without a bye week.

"We came in with the mindset it was going to be a grind and we need to tough it out," says Groves, who adds, "You just have to keep fighting, keep pressing and keep going on."